Venue and safety information for school excursions

Work Health and Safety Directorate

Venue name Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences:

Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Observatory and Museums Discovery Centre
Location Powerhouse Museum 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007.
Sydney Observatory 1003 Upper Fort Street, Sydney, NSW 2000.
Museums Discovery Centre 172 Showground Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154.
Phone number (02) 9217 0222 Fax number (02) 92170622

Web address https://maas.museum

Insurance Does the venue have public liability cover? No ☐ Yes ☒ Public liability insurance policy number: MF100097.

Activity/program Recommended age Staff accreditation/ Potential risks Control Strategies

Please list group/fitness level/ competence List hazards/risks related to Outline strategies for ensuring visitor safety for this potential risk
prerequisite skills for this activity/program each activity/program and the
venue
COVID-19 Safety Pre-School - Year MAAS Education Potential MAAS is registered as a COVID Safe business
12 and Visitor transmission of and has a COVID-19 Safety Plan
Services staff, COVID-19
teachers / carers All schools are required to adhere to MAAS
COVID-19 safe practices when on site

All schools will be asked to confirm that no

children, teachers or carers who are unwell

© 2011 NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 1

 and/or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 are
in attendance.

HYGIENE
• MAAS will provide hand sanitiser for all
visitors in the museum spaces and
include explanation of use in the arrival
briefing.

HEALTH ADVICE & COVID-19

RESTRICTIONS
• COVID-19 restrictions are subject to
change and may be revised in between
the date of booking and the date of the
excursion. MAAS will contact schools as
soon as practicable in the event changed
restrictions are applicable to excursions.
• Additional general visitor information is
available at https://maas.museum/visitor-
information/

Arrival and departure Pre-School – Year Teachers / Carers / COVID-19 Hand sanitiser stations will be placed at the
12 Visitor Service arrival points. Students, teachers and carers
Officers (VSOs) may use their own hand sanitiser, or the hand
sanitiser provided by MAAS.

Arrival time Where possible schools should plan to arrive

15 minutes before their allocated session start
time. If delayed, please call (02) 9217 0222.

Road accidents Teachers and accompanying adults must

supervise students when crossing roads,
and/or getting on or off buses. Supervision is
essential at all times.

© 2011 NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 2

 Trips, falls and Teachers must maintain appropriate
injuries supervision of students at all times, and remind
students to:
• walk, not run
• remain behind safety barriers
• not enter areas marked as ‘no access’
• not touch electrical equipment or displays
(unless marked as ‘hands-on’)
• not lift heavy objects
• use play equipment with care and check
for other users and younger children.

Teachers should report trips, falls, injuries and

other incidents or near misses to MAAS staff
as soon as possible.

MAAS first aid kits have PPE supplies for both

staff responders and visitors.
Lost students
Teachers should perform regular head counts
to ensure all students are present. Students
should be told what to do if they become lost,
such as find Museum staff or meet at a pre-
arranged location. We recommend younger
students have teachers’ contact information
clearly marked on a badge.
Cloaking Pre-School – Year Trained staff Lost or stolen School bag cloaking is located on level 2 of the
12 property Museum. School bags are not permitted within
the Museum exhibition spaces. Students
should be encouraged to bring a small bag
only for essential items.

The Museum takes all care but accepts no

responsibility for students’ belongings left in
storage.

© 2011 NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 3


Student behaviour during the visit
© 2011 NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES
The Museum strongly recommends that
valuables are not brought on the excursion.
Report any lost property to staff or to Museum
security.
Pre-School – Year Trained staff and Stranger danger/lost Museum staff wear photo identification and
12 teachers / carers students may engage in discussions with students. To
facilitate meaningful dialogue, where
practicable, we ask for all students and
teachers to wear a name badge. Students
should remain vigilant about talking with
strangers and not leave their cohort without
advising their teachers/carers.
Name tags help Museum staff identify
lost/separated students.
Trips, falls and Teachers must maintain appropriate
injuries supervision of students at all times, and remind
students to:
• walk, not run
• remain behind safety barriers
• not enter areas marked as ‘no access’
• not touch electrical equipment or displays
(unless marked as ‘hands-on’)
• not lift heavy objects
• refrain from climbing on collection items
(unless marked as ‘hands-on')
• refrain from climbing onto safety
railings/banisters
FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 4

Specialist programs in Learning facilities
Lunch and breaks
© 2011 NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES
• keep fingers clear of all doors including
door hinges
Cuts and bruises, Students to be instructed to keep near
trips and falls, from handrails and not run or play on stairs,
escalators and lifts. escalators or ramps. Ensure shoelaces are
tied and tucked before using the escalator.
Keep fingers well clear of all lift doors.
Pre-School – Year Trained staff and Trips, falls and The Museum makes use of subdued lighting to
12 teachers / carers injuries protect its heritage objects. Students should
exercise care when moving around the
exhibitions and when using ramps, stairs and
escalators. Teachers should maintain
appropriate supervision of students at all
times, and remind students to:
• walk, not run
• remain behind safety barriers
• not enter areas marked as ‘no access’
• not touch electrical equipment or displays
(unless marked as ‘hands-on’)
• not lift heavy objects
• refrain from climbing on collection items
(unless marked as ‘hands on’
• refrain from climbing onto safety
railing/banisters
• keep fingers clear of all doors including
door hinges.
Equipment used during programs is cleaned
Inappropriate use of after each session. Electrical equipment is
equipment ‘Tag & Tested’. All activities are supervised by
Museum staff while teachers/carers are asked
to help monitor their students.
Pre-School – Year Teachers / carers Trips, falls and Each venue has an area available for groups
12 injuries to use for breaks and lunch.
FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 5
 Teachers must maintain appropriate
supervision of students at all times, and remind
students to:
• walk, not run
• remain behind safety barriers
• not enter areas marked as ‘no access’
• not touch electrical equipment or displays
(unless marked as ‘hands-on’)
• not lift heavy objects
• use play equipment with care and check
for other users and younger children.

Refer to control strategies outlined in ‘Arrival

and departure’ section

Equipment
List any equipment, including personal protective equipment, to be provided for use during the activities/programs.

Hand sanitiser provided throughout the Museum Is all equipment at the venue maintained in accordance with the WHS Regulation, appropriate standards and
codes of practice? Yes ☒ No ☐
Disinfectant wipes used to clean all equipment between groups

Refer to NSW Health regarding the use of face masks

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/face-masks

© 2011 NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 6

Other requirements
Where relevant, list other requirements such as
clothing, footwear and sunscreen that participants
are required to bring. Indicate if any items are
provided by the venue
Supervision/services
List services provided by venue including briefings,
guided tours, supervision of activities etc
Teachers/ Carers should ensure they bring enough sanitizer to clean all hands before entering the museum.
Students should wear closed-in shoes, and bring appropriate sun protection if spending time outdoors.
All groups will be briefed by trained Museum staff and volunteers at the commencement of the visit.
Museum staff are available in the exhibitions to assist with directions and queries. Specialist Museum staff
supervise educator-led programs and facilities, with teachers present. Teachers should maintain direct supervision
of their students at all times during their visit to the Powerhouse Museum. Every adult accompanying students is
required to be in a supervisory role and MUST have adequate authority and experience (as determined by the
school) to handle groups alone for risk assessment purposes. Please ensure that teacher supervision is evenly
spread throughout your group while at the Museum.
Supervisor to learner ratios
MAAS maintains supervisor to learner ratios for learner safety and comfort. Within these ratios supervisors are free.
Costs may apply for additional supervisors.
Supervisor to learner ratios: 1:1 for access groups, 1:2 for under 5 years, 1:5 for years K–2, 1:10 for years 3–6,
1:20 for years 7–12.

Are access to and egress from the premises safe and without risk to health? Yes ☒ No ☐
Access
Is the venue wheelchair accessible? Yes ☒ No ☐
Are disabled toilets available? Yes ☒ No ☐

Are emergency procedures in place in the venue? Yes ☒ No ☐

Are employees and others undertaking work (including volunteers) trained to deal with emergency situations?
Yes ☒ No ☐

The Museum has full evacuation procedures in case of emergency, threat, fire, and other natural disasters. All fire
Emergencies
exits are clearly marked and all staff have received training in evacuation procedures. Please ensure that your
group understands the importance of following such procedures in the event of an evacuation. The Museum will
liaise closely with NSW state emergency services in the case of external threats such as bomb threat or terrorism
and will respond accordingly to any directions given by the authorities.

Construction/ Maintenance/ Repair Are licensed personnel used for all construction, maintenance and repair work? Yes ☒ No ☐
Are first aid kits available for each activity? Yes ☒ No ☐
First Aid Is there a trained first aid officer at the venue? Yes ☒ No ☐
Is a first aid room available? Yes ☒ No ☐
 Are employees and others undertaking work (including volunteers) of your organisation engaged in child-related employment as defined by the
Child-related employment
Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998? Yes ☒ No ☐
If yes, which Approved Screening Agency in NSW has registered your organisation as a child-related employer for the purpose of employment screening?

Employment Screening Unit. (NSW Government Education and Communities)

If your organisation is registered with an Approved Screening Agency in NSW,

Have all employees and others undertaking work (including volunteers) undergone employment screening?
Yes ☒ No ☐
Have all employees and others undertaking work (including volunteers) completed an Applicant Declaration and Consent form?
Yes ☒ No ☐
If unsure about the status of your organisation or these legislative requirements, contact should be made with the Employment Screening Unit of the NSW
Department of Education and Communities on (02) 9836 9200.

Please note that the information provided above was current as at the date above. It has been provided by the venue to assist employees in their risk management
planning for excursions. If further information is required please directly contact the venue. If this information changes, the venue will advise the Department of Education
and Communities and provide an update.